as in excellent
of the very best kind
a first-string rendition of the musical piece
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Recent Examples of first-string
The veteran safety, one of only two first-string defensive backs to start and finish the game Sunday, sat alone in his locker still draped in nearly all his game attire, minus the jersey and shoulder pads.
—
Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
On a rest day for Bo Nix and much of the Broncos’ first-string crew, backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham, and a few key depth pieces, led the Broncos to a 27-7 beatdown of the Cardinals at Empower Field on Saturday night.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 17 Aug. 2025
That is an obvious but nevertheless tempting play with Burrow and the first-string offense in action.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Aug. 2025
That has not kept Henderson from receiving snaps with Maye and the rest of the first-string offense, however.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 27 July 2025
Young guys typically have to earn their way to first-string snaps.
—Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2025
Breslow and his scouts stole a first-string catcher, Carlos Narvaez, from the Yankees, who’d had him in their minor league system since 2015.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 16 July 2025
Hudson has been practicing as the first-string left tackle all spring in Thomas’ absence.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 17 June 2025
With the second-string defense facing the first-string offense, QB Bryce Young tried to fit a laser pass through the middle of traffic, and Rozeboom — who spent the past four years with the Los Angeles Rams — batted the ball in the air.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 13 June 2025
Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
On a rest day for Bo Nix and much of the Broncos’ first-string crew, backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham, and a few key depth pieces, led the Broncos to a 27-7 beatdown of the Cardinals at Empower Field on Saturday night.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 17 Aug. 2025
That is an obvious but nevertheless tempting play with Burrow and the first-string offense in action.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Aug. 2025
That has not kept Henderson from receiving snaps with Maye and the rest of the first-string offense, however.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 27 July 2025
Young guys typically have to earn their way to first-string snaps.
—Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2025
Breslow and his scouts stole a first-string catcher, Carlos Narvaez, from the Yankees, who’d had him in their minor league system since 2015.
—Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 16 July 2025
Hudson has been practicing as the first-string left tackle all spring in Thomas’ absence.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 17 June 2025
With the second-string defense facing the first-string offense, QB Bryce Young tried to fit a laser pass through the middle of traffic, and Rozeboom — who spent the past four years with the Los Angeles Rams — batted the ball in the air.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 13 June 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first-string
Adjective
-
Sims said Kaiser offers competitive pay and excellent health benefits, and is already reducing internal costs to make its latest wage offer to the Alliance of Health Care Unions — of which UNAC/UCHP is a member.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
11 Oct. 2025
-
Alabama’s Ty Simpson was excellent, finishing 23-for-31 for 200 yards and three touchdowns through the air.—
Maddie Hartley,
Kansas City Star,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Dak Prescott was terrific all day, throwing for 237 yards and four touchdowns.—
Mark Kern,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Given Emeka Egbuka’s terrific rookie season, Godwin could easily be the odd man out, similar to Tyler Boyd the year the Bengals drafted Ja’Marr Chase.—
Jake Ciely,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Telefónica’s Movistar Plus+, the biggest Spanish pay TV/SVOD operator, is having a stellar 2025.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Podziemski was the star for shorthanded Golden State, with a stellar 23-point, eight-assist night on 10 of 16 shooting.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Relax by the wood-burning stove or in the bath that offers superb vistas of the water—all while keeping an eye out for wildlife, including sheep.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
12 Oct. 2025
-
David Beckham scored the superb halfway line goal that catapulted him into international superstardom in 1996.—
Michelle Duncan,
Architectural Digest,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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For those who are ready to trade in their simple drip coffee set up for something a bit more advanced, Seattle Coffee Gear is a great independent retailer for coffee-brewing appliances and accessories.—
Melissa Knific,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
9 Oct. 2025
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Being a great place to work is about structure as well as culture, whether the business in question is listed, family-owned or private equity-backed.—
Rebecca Ann Hughes,
Fortune,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The ‘Mahabharat’ enabled by AI is a wonderful example of how tradition and technology can work hand in hand.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Again and again, striking out into the unknown led to wonderful new possibilities, making my life grow larger and deeper.—
Sarah Chamberlain,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Now, with Turnpike firmly entrenched as one of the biggest and most important bands in independent country music, Miller and the Old 97’s have enjoyed several prime slots as openers for the Troubadours.—
Josh Crutchmer,
Rolling Stone,
9 Oct. 2025
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This is because survival is our prime directive in life, and survival depends on always having enough energy.—
Bryant Stamford,
Louisville Courier Journal,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Aspen Nature Loop – Another easy and lovely hike is Aspen Nature Loop, just across the parking lot from Kachina Trail.—
Roger Naylor,
AZCentral.com,
10 Oct. 2025
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But another lovely thing this week has been the life of the mind.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“First-string.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first-string. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
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